Hello! My name is Robin. 2013 will be my first burn. I'm looking forward to reading these threads and gathering more info on how to get the most out of my first experience.

I am 25 years old and will be bringing about 6 other people from Maine with me.

Would love to hear from anyone in the New England region who plans on going in 2013....we're curious to hear how you plan on traveling to the Burn. Are you taking a flight and shipping boxes full of gear? Are you planning on making the trip via car? That's quite a road trip from Maine!

You may want to connect with some regional groups. You'll not only find out about events/happenings closer to your home, but you can connect with others facing the same hurdles and challenges you do. They may be able to give you ideas on anything from routes to take, companies to ship with or rent from, or you may end up being able to get in on some kind of rideshare/cargo-share that works for you and your friends. Good luck!

Be careful tying yourself to six other people. It's likely that some will bow out, what looks like a fun adventure in December can look like an insurmountable pile of problems and expense in June. It's a not un-common experience to find people who don't make it to their first burn for a couple of years because they're plans--or rather their companions--fall through.

The Lady with a Lamprey

"The powerful are exploiting people, art and ideas, and this leads to us plebes debating how to best ration ice.Man, no wonder they always win....." Lonesomebri

Before you decide on flying vs. driving consider how you plan to camp for the week, and how much time each of you can get off work. Buying 6 plane tickets might cost the same amount as gas for driving all the way. Last year and 2011 we did a little combo of driving and flying. Me and a few other people drove our RV and 95% of the gear, then a couple more folks flew into reno and just rented a car since their gear was all with us there wasn't much shopping they had to do in Reno or Fernley.

Why don't ya stick your head in that hole and find out? ~pieholePlan for the worst, expect the best. Make the most out of it under any conditions. If you cannot do that you will never enjoy yourself. ~CrispyDave

theCryptofishist wrote:Be careful tying yourself to six other people. It's likely that some will bow out, what looks like a fun adventure in December can look like an insurmountable pile of problems and expense in June. It's a not un-common experience to find people who don't make it to their first burn for a couple of years because they're plans--or rather their companions--fall through.

I have to admit . . . if I were coming from Maine, I would fly. I would make a merciless shopping list, fly in to Reno, pick up a box truck (to be both tent and shade), shop for a couple of hours at Reno's many stores, possibly sleep one night at a reasonably priced hotel, and drive the 2 hours to the playa. Why sleep first? Because shopping might take longer than one would imagine, especially as a new Burner . . . then add the minimum of 2 hours' drive (more if you're coming in on the same day as 50,000 others) plus at least 3-5 hours in line before you're even into the event, and another hour to find your camp or pick an open site.

If you're a practiced road-tripper and can be gone from home the extra days it will take to drive both ways, well! You know your own mind.

As people have already said: plan for at least 50% of your friends to drop out of your plans before June. It's typical! The Burn can be intimidating and expensive, and people tend to fall by the wayside as the months pass.

Have a plan B that involves you going alone if absolutely necessary . . . or join a camp, and plan to meet up with them on the playa.

*** 2017 Survival Guide ***"I must've lost it when I was twerking at the trash fence." -- BBadger